Traffic accident! It could happen to you!

last SG · 2007-11-01T11:57:24+00:00

So i guess if u were him, u will pay the $30k and call it a day rite.....

nefnuy SG

Hi everyone,

I have a question here, not sure if anyone can help me.

In Feb, I got into an accident in CTE. the situation that was that there was
heavy traffic clear skies. I was at the right most lane filtering right.
Trafic condition was about at a stand still, and I proceed to filter right when the cars started going forward.

Not alert enough, I didn't the car in front didn't move forward enough as I was looking at the left side mirror, so I bumped into the car in front. Speed was about 20-30km/h then.

The driver came out, very agressive, scolded vulgar language. Started demanding for my IC and all the stuff, insurance, etc. Stupidly I gave him.
His passenger, I assume his GF, came out too, busy calling her "brother-in-law", asking him how to best deal with me to claim damages.

Since I had insurance and it's just bumper, I gave him everything he wanted. He took photo, drew on a note book the cars' position and I even signed on the notebook.

Basically, main point is, the accident was minor, I got my Nissan Latio bumper repaired for $180 and filed an insurance report within 2-3 days. Till one day in April I received a police letter asking me to go to the police station for investigation. Apparently, he went to make a police report stating he received injuries. So after I made the police report stating no one was injured, I thought everything was fine. Non of the 4 passengers in my car had any injury, or was even affected in any way.

No, more trouble came, in end May, I received another police letter charging me fro negligent driving, fining me $200 and 6 demerit points. Having a little knowledge of law, I know law is not about justice, so tough luck. I paid.

The worse is in June, I received a lawyers letteraddressed to the insurance company, CCed to me. The guy is claiming $3.5k on damages to the car, a Toyota Vios. Well, I know pple do that, overhauling the whole car since they can get my insurance to pay. By the way, it was just a dent on his bumper. Worst, his passenger, who was well at that time claimed $25K for whiplash injury, cost of future care, loss of income, etc. The letter stated that if the insurance company refused to respond the lawyers will file legal proceedings against me.

That is over, I guess the insurance company paid as I ignored the letter on advice of my insurance agent that the insurance will deal with it. In August another letter came cliaming the same amount S$30K for the driver's injuries! And they are filing legal proceedings! I got a Writ of Summons! WTF. I just made a small mistake and bumped his bumper!

My question is will I be forced to pay $30K. This is ridiculous, really stressed out. Does Singapore traffic law protect innocent drivers from these sort of exorbitant claims

spadeTwo SG

uhm, u need serious help over there, i suggest getting a lawyer immediately.

hisoka SG

i have to agree, might have to go consult legal experts.....

but it would be helpful if you keep us updated for oursakes. can keep other pple from being fleeced

airgrinder SG

posted deleted.

TWE SG

Erm maybe Case can help or go Income to ask for help ?

hisoka SG

actually i think you should go ask your insurance what they did or they ignored before you do anythign then consult lawyer.

not sure about whether case or what would be useful

Pion SG

Get a lawyer involved.

They are acting on the theory that some people would just pay up and settle out of court.

storywolf SG

Bascially there is alway 2 side of the story !

Put yourself into our people shoes - if someone go bumb into your back and put a dent onto your bumper - what you want ? you think you want to hammer back and live with the dent ? also - to you may be a small bump - but it is enough to do some internal damage to the bumper and other things.

So usually in the end, usually most case will end up changing the whole bumper, plus respraying the bumper ! . Next while car is in for repair - it is only fair that the other party get car rental !

Thus nowaday drive carefully do not go bump others then say people like take a knife rob you.... as you can chose not to bang others.

Garage R SG

Traffic accident! It could happen to you!

choi choi choi!! Mad Laughing

drumstick SG

You should keep some pics of the damage.

For such minor damage such as bumper which involve 20-30km/h, its consider minor.

Since now is already coming november, get your insurance company tostep in and keep bugging them. getting a laywer by yourself would have cost much more.

The 3.5k repair is too much. He could have work together with the car repair shop to eat more $. Or you may have given him free addtional body kits.

Get them to show the damage list and get your insurance company to review it.

Judging by how you say of the damage, seems like only bumper got hit,
That type of incident I do not believe will include the need to change the car boot with it.

Worst come to worst, pay thru you insurace company, at the most is pay the excess. 3.5k damage if I remember correctly, affect 10 - 20% NCD but no need to top up addtional as below 10k claim.

You should have stated to pay for the repair at your prefered workshop coz at the end of the day, you hit his rear bumper, and its gonna be 90% your fault.
If you had gone thru this method, will cost you less than 600 for bumper and paint unless that guy is driving a mercs or higher end luxury car.

Froz3nFir3 SG

Hey.. Jux to let you know.. For a toyota vios.. Bumper cost less than 350.

Resprayin cost less than 350.. They can be done in at most a week..

I dunno how much is the car rental. But if the bill goes more than 2k..

I think it's too much.. If you are driving at a speed of 20km to 30km and can

cause internal damages to the other party car, you must have been driving a

tank..

hisoka SG

actually why most of you talking only about the 3.5k for the car?

i would have thought the 25k for the "whiplash" should have been the one to raise mroe issues with?

NewAgeSensitiveBoy SG

you still got receipt and report from your repair? it shld be able to indicate the impact thru the damage caused. bring that to the police and your insurer and keep bugging them.

mancha SG

You encouraged them.

First rule in traffic incident.
All insurance co tells you.
NEVER ADMIT TO ANYTHING.
Even when it is clearly your fault.
Do not sign anything.
Just give the name of your Insurance co, enough.
To cover you from the exchange of particulars rule.
Report accident to IDAC asap.

I think from now on, I will offer to call the police or the ambulance. If the other party do not want, I will ask them to sign.

Go to the police for help.
Some false reporting is involved.
Ask them for help.
Go up beyond the front desk, to the senior officers.

Go to CASE, for advice.

Go see your MP.
This is another potential escalating legal tangle.

I think on your own, you're just a push over.
That is the fault.
And the other party, has got a wide, wide open gate.

It is no longer a minor accident.
It is now a series of major mistakes.

wonderamazement SG

You nid help. Seriously, you're like getting taken advantage of ya know. Do keep us updated... Confused

soild79 SG

hated these dishonest workshop … any how claim to their likes…. btw yr insurance co should have already sent someone to inspect their vehicle.

gUms SG

oMg .... you have really been farked !!!

Dont listen to any advise here , most of them are either p-plates or dont even have license.
Get a lawyer asap!!! they will know what to do....

ceecookie SG

Next time equip a chopper inside your car in case of accident. Laughing

nefnuy SG

I'm not sure what you mean by push over or mistakes.
I made a mistake of knocking into his car, I admit that immediately.
However, I'm going to dispute the suit.

Will be meeting up with the insurance tomorrow.

An appeal to drivers out there.
ADMIT IF IT IS YOUR FAULT. BE A MAN.
BUT TRYING TO BENEFIT FROM AN ACCIDENT IS JUST DISPICABLE.
I am above that.

Tiggerific SG

it could be that the guy took advantage of you. you see, the fact that you hit him from behind obviously puts you in a tough spot.

but i think, the main problem is because he claimed to have injuries.

under normal circumstances, like the point you described [when nobody is injured], police will not investigate. however, if the guy decides to go seek medical treatment for any 'pain', even if it is days after the day of accident, the non-injury accident becomes an accident with injury. in this case, all he needs to do is lodge an accident report and police will investigate. i believe this is what happened, and how you got penalised by the police. whether or not he is really injured is another matter altogether, for it is up to the doctor to decide if any injuries he sustained subsequently is a direct result of the accident. i know for a fact because some people will die die claim to the doctor that they feel 'pain' even when there is nothing, just so that they can fulfil the criteria to lodge an accident report. worst thing is, they usually get what they want. Evil or Very Mad

about the claims made against you... well, you're really unfortunate. this guy sounds like a total scumbag: get you into trouble and now wants to fleece you. i think really no choice. you might have to contest his claim in court.

all the best. hopefully the case turns out in your favour. do keep us all posted. =)